Book review: Rumor Has It (Animal Magnetism #4) by Jill Shalvis

He’ll help unleash the new woman in her…

Special Ops soldier Griffin Reid doesn’t exactly have happy memories of growing up in Sunshine, Idaho. He’s only come back to recover from a war injury, and while he refuses to admit he’s in a weakened state, he finds comfort in the last person he’d expect.

Kate Evans teaches fourth grade science in Sunshine, the place she’s always called home. Dreaming of graduate school and a happily-ever-after, she’s desperate to break out of the monotony of Sunshine. Luckily, a certain sexy man has just come back into her life.

To Griffin, Kate as always been his little sister’s friend, but now he’s finding her to be so much more. As both attempt to forge their paths, they must decide if their passionate connection can turn into something lasting…

This is the much anticipated ( by me anyway) book 4 in the Animal Magnetism series.  The count down to release day took forever! Griffin Reid is back in Sunshine with a pretty bad set of injuries he doesn't want anyone to know about. It's convenient his sister is getting married and so he can use that for cover for a while until he can figure out what he's going to do now that he's out of the military. Kate Evans is Griffins sisters best friend.  She's also a teacher and she's a huge giver. Gives her time all over the place so much so she forgets to give to herself.  Kate has had her eye of Griff for a long time but he's been away so long and she's a nervous wreck around him. Whenever she's nervous she spouts off all kinds of scientific facts which is hilarious. There are worse things she could do you know?  Griff adores her but doesn't want to put all his internal stuff on her door. Kate wants to let loose though and she decides Griff is the perfect man for the job. Their relationship is a great mix of sweet and sexy. Griff helps Kate with her family her class and anything else he can and Kate is just there for him. The chemistry between these two is crazy intense! Jill Shalvis does not disappoint with her wonderful characters and witty dialog.  This is the kind of book you can't wait to read and you plow through it and love it and then wish you could forget it so can read it all over for the first time all over again! 

One of the funniest parts that made me laugh i bet it makes you laugh too. 

" Our earlobes line up with out nipples." He grinned. " Why miss Evans. You said nipples."

One o

Find out more about Jill Shalvis ( She has a awesome daily blog) on her website here www.jillshalvis.com

Book review: It Had to Be You (Lucky Harbor #7) by Jill Shalvis

Available now!

Ali Winters is not having a good day. Her boyfriend left her, everyone in town thinks she's a thief, and now she's about to be kicked out of her home. Her only shot at keeping a roof over her head and clearing her name is to beg for help from a police detective who's as sexy as he is stern.... 

After a high-profile case goes wrong, Luke Hanover returns to his hometown for some peace and quiet. Instead he finds a bombshell brunette in a heap of trouble. As he helps Ali put her world back together, the pieces of Luke's own life finally seem to fall into place. Is this the start of a sizzling fling? Or are Luke and Ali on the brink of something big in a little town called Lucky Harbor?

The Lucky Harbor series continues with the first of 3 more book in the series. Ali Winters has the worst luck all at one time. Seems like everything is falling apart in her life. Boyfriend dumps her then she finds out he was cheating on her with more than one woman and then $50,000 in cash goes missing and she's the one accused by the ex for taking it. She's homeless and she loses her job when the owner closes it down to move away.  Luke Hanover finds her in her undies in his home that he rents out but is supposed to be vacant.  This is how they meet. Luke just looking to hide out for a while from his disappointment in himself. A cop he had a case go horribly bad and is blaming himself. He doesn't want to help Ali at first but one look in her eyes and he's sunk. Even though Ali is in dire straights herself she helps him as he helps her. The whole while falling for her and in denial about it. Ali tells herself she can do this but after a while it's apparent she can't and not fall for him. In the mean time Luke and Ali try to find out who really took the $50,000 before Luke has to go back to his real life and back to his job. I enjoyed this installment of the Lucky Harbor series. We get a pinch of time with our old friend Sawyer  and the sheriff investigating the stolen money. Luke thinks he has issues but it's nothing compared to everything that Ali has been through in her life and he learns from her how to persevere and stay strong. He is so gentle with her and so taken by her she will  to not let things get her down. Of course there is a nice healthy dose of Jill Shalvis humor is this book as well. Below are a few of my favorite lines.

"Not all men will disappoint you," he said. "I don't mean me. Because i will absolutely disappoint you. But we're not all assholes, Ali.

"I'm not nice. I'm never nice. And Jesus, remind me to never try and separate you from your ice cream again."

He stared at her. "I don't think i am authorized to have this conversation." ( this after Ali told him she might be falling for him) lol

Once Luke got it together i really liked him a lot. We get introduced to more people who will be in the next two books as well. Another hit for Jill Shalvis. 4 out of 5 stars for It Had to Be you.

Find out more about Jill Shalvis and Lucky Harbor series here www.jillshalvis.com

HOT Cover Monday! It Had to Be You (Lucky Harbor series book 7)by Jill Shalvis

 Available May 28th 2013 Pre-order now

Ali Winters is not having a good day. Her boyfriend left her, everyone in town thinks she’s a thief, and now she’s about to be kicked out of her home. Her only shot at keeping a roof over her head and clearing her name is to beg for help from a police detective who’s as sexy as he is stern….

After a high-profile case goes wrong, Luke Hanover returns to his hometown for some peace and quiet. Instead he finds a bombshell brunette in a heap of trouble. As he helps Ali put her world back together, the pieces of Luke’s own life finally seem to fall into place. Is this the start of a sizzling fling? Or are Luke and Ali on the brink of something big in a little town called Lucky Harbor?

Find out more about the book and the series on the Jill Shalvis website here www.jillshalvis.com

Book Review: Under The Mistletoe (Lucky Harbor novella) by Jill Shalvis

Just One More Kiss

There’s no place like home for the holidays. And the Lucky Harbor Bed & Breakfast is bursting with festive lights and good cheer. But for Mia, Christmas is turning out to be anything other than merry and bright. Her recent break-up with her boyfriend Nick has made her return bittersweet. But then a surprise arrives, when Nick follows her to town bearing gifts–and asking for forgiveness.

Nick grew up without a family of his own so he’s overwhelmed by the love that Mia receives from all her relatives, gathered together to celebrate the season. Under their watchful eyes, Nick finds earning back her trust the hardest thing he’s ever had to do. If he succeeds, he will receive the greatest gift of all, Mia’s love for a lifetime.

If you have been reading Jill Shalvis Lucky Harbor series i have a treat is store for you! Jill has written a short novella about Mia, Ford and Tara's daughter (The Sweetest Thing). I believe the timeline is 5 years since she found Tara and Ford. She's living in NYC and going to college. Right before Christmas she breaks up with her boyfriend Nick when he refuses rather coldly not to come with her to Lucky Harbor for Christmas. Nursing her broken heart she goes back to Lucky Harbor for Chloe and Sawyers wedding by herself. Nick while also adopted like Mia never had a family life like Mia growing up. He was never adopted. He's scared to death of what Mia has because he never had it and had to rely on himself. Less than a hour after refusing with no explanation why he wouldn't go with her to Lucky Harbor he sees the error of his ways. Unfortunately in the morning when he goes to tell her how sorry he is she's already gone. He follows his heart to Lucky Harbor to try and win her back. This was such a sweet story to show whatever happened to Mia. Carlos makes an appearance too. You can find out what happened with them as well. Love when you get a chance to see what happens to secondary characters. This did not disappoint. 5 out 5 stars for Under The Mistletoe by Jill Shalvis.

Find out more and read a excerpt on Jill Shalvis website here www.jillshalvis.com

If you haven't read Jill Shalvis Luck Harbor series you can check that out on her website as well. You don't want to miss the awesome series.

Book Review: Rescue my Heart Animal Magnetism, Book Three (Adam’s story!) By Jill Shalvis

Animal Magnetism, Book Three (Adam’s story!)

After a tragic stint in the National Guards, Adam Connelly returns to Idaho and to Belle Haven, the animal shelter he owns with his brothers. All Adam wants is to be alone. Then he opens the door to the past—the woman whose heart he once broke. Still gorgeous, still tough-as-nails, but this time, unusually vulnerable.

Holly learned the hard way to never depend on a man for anything. Now, of all men, it’s the last one she wants to see, and the only one she needs. Her father has gone missing in the Bitterroot Mountains and she could use someone with tracking skills to help find him.

For Holly and Adam, each with their ghosts, a trek this desperate, this unpredictable, and this intimate, will have its share of risks—including opening their hearts one more time.

This is the 3rd in the Animal Magnetism series. We've had to wait for months for each other of these and they have been soooo worth the wait. I adored the first two in this series and Rescue My Heart tops the first two by a smidge or two. In the first two books you get a pieces of Adam. He's a man in control of his life or so it appears. He's capable of a little humor but mostly he's very serious. He's really suffering from PTSD from his time in the military. He's a was on a rescue team on a mission that went horribly bad and he lost half his team.  He's been trying to work on dealing with that with the help of his brothers since he got back stateside. In walks Holly. No one knows it but he and Holly were at item one summer years ago in their youth. He left her for the military and never looked back. It killed him to do it but he thought he was saving them both. Now Holly is back and pissed at him all the time it seems.  He can't figure out why. It doesn't matter when she comes to him needing his help to find her missing dad in the mountains. Finally on their trek to find her dad does she get to ask him some questions and find out who Adam Connelly is now. Of course that's the beginning of Adam having to deal with his feelings for Holly and feeling in general.  I really loved this book. Jill Shalvis deals with A very serious problem with many soldiers returning from overseas duty with PTSD. Anxiety is a big part of that and you don't have to be in the military to experience that either as many people know.  The romance parts were sexy as hell. Jill knows how to use words that draw you in. I read this from beginning to end in one day. You don't want to put it down. Where in the previous books you like Adam but you don't know him. I felt that open up and i loved what i saw once it did. No matter how Adam has suffered he is still a strong person and does the right thing.  Definitely a book for my keeper pile. 5 out of 5 stars for Rescue my Heart by Jill Shalvis.

Find out more about this book, and all Jill Shalvis other work on her website here. www.jillshalvis.com

Hot Cover Monday! It Had to Be You (Lucky Harbor series book 7 ) by Jill Shalvis

(Luke's Story)

A Lucky Harbor Novel Book Seven
Grand Central
May 28. 2013


Below is a sneal peek excerpt!

Lieutenant Detective Luke Hanover had been away from the San Francisco Police Department for exactly one day of his three week leave and already he’d lost his edge, walking into his grandma’s Lucky Harbor beach house to find a B&E perp standing in the kitchen.
She sure as hell was the prettiest petty thief he’d ever come across, at least from the back since she was wearing nothing but a white lace bra and a tiny scrap of matching white lace panties.

“You have some nerve you… you ratfink bastard,” she snapped into her cell phone, waving her free hand for emphasis, her long, wildly wavy brown hair flying around her head as she moved.

And that wasn’t all that moved. She was a bombshell, all sweet, womanly curves, barely contained in her undies.

“I want you to know,” she went on furiously, still not seeing Luke, “there’s no way in hell I’m accepting your break-up message. You hear me, Teddy? I’m not accepting it because I’m breaking up with you. And while we’re at it, who even does that? Who breaks up with someone by text? I’ll tell you who, Teddy, a real jerk, that’s who– Hello? Dammit!”

Pulling the phone from her ear, she stared at the screen and then punched a few keys before whipping it back up to her ear. “Your voice mail cut me off before I finished,” she said. “You having sex in your office while I was in the building? Totally cliché. But not telling me that you weren’t planning to resign the lease? That’s just rotten to the core, Teddy. And don’t bother calling me back on this. Oh, wait, that’s right, you don’t call – you text!” She punched the “off” button on her phone and tossed it to the counter, hands on hips, steam coming out her ears. Then she thunked her forehead against the refrigerator a few times before going stock still, her head pressed to the cool, steel door.

Had she knocked herself out? Luke wondered.

“It’s just one bad day,” she whispered, still in the perfect position for him to pat her down for weapons.

Not that she was carrying – well, except for that lethal bod.

“Just one really rotten, badass day,” she repeated softly, and Luke had to disagree.

“Not from where I’m standing,” he said.

Find out more about Jill Shalvis and her books here www.jillshalvis.com

Simply Irresistible ( Lucky Harbor book 1) by Jill Shalvis on sale for 99 (GIVEAWAY) cents!

Simply Irresistible
 Maddie Moore’s whole life needs a makeover.


In one fell swoop, Maddie loses her boyfriend (her decision) and her job (so not her decision). But rather than drowning her sorrows in bags of potato chips, Maddie leaves L.A. to claim the inheritance left by her free-spirited mother-a ramshackle inn nestled in the little coastal town of Lucky Harbor, Washington.


Starting over won’t be easy. Yet Maddie sees the potential for a new home and a new career-if only she can convince her two half-sisters to join her in the adventure. But convincing Tara and Chloe will be difficult because the inn needs a big makeover too.


The contractor Maddie hires is a tall, dark-haired hottie whose eyes-and mouth-are making it hard for her to remember that she’s sworn off men. Even harder will be Maddie’s struggles to overcome the past, though she’s about to discover that there’s no better place to call home than Lucky Harbor.


New to Jill Shalvis? Read all her work? If your new here's your chance to read book 1 in the hit Lucky Harbor series with Simply Irresistible! On sale for 99 cents through Amazon and Barnes and Noble. If you've read this series here's your chance to gift it to a friend. I guarantee you'll love it. Jill Shalvis has a wonderful wit in person that comes through in her books and her blog posts as well. Check out her website here to read a excerpt of this book and check out her other work www.jillshalvis.com

GIVEAWAY Modokker Book Picks will give away a KINDLE ebook copy of Simply Irrestible by Jill Shalvis to one commenter. Just tell me if you have have ever read a Jill Shalvis book before. Be sure you leave your email address so i can contact you if you win. This ends Sunday September 16th so hurry!

Buy from Amazon for 99 cents for Kindle here www.amazon.com
Buy from  Barnes and Noble for 99 cents for Nook here www.barnesandnoble.com

Book review: Forever and a day by Jill Shalvis(book 6 in the Lucky Harbor series)

Available July 31st 2012
LOVE CAN HAPPEN IN A HEARTBEAT




Grace never thought she’d be starting her life over from scratch. Losing everything has landed her in Lucky Harbor, working as a dog walker for overwhelmed ER doctor Josh Scott. But the day his nanny fails to show up, Grace goes from caring for Josh’s lovable mutt to caring for his rambunctious son. Soon Grace is playing house with the sexy single dad…



With so many people depending on him, Josh has no time for anything outside of his clinic and family-until Grace arrives in town. Now this brainy blonde is turning his life inside out and giving a whole new meaning to the phrase “good bedside manner.” Josh and Grace don’t know if what they have can last. But in a town like Lucky Harbor, a lifetime of love starts with just one day…


This is the 6th book in the Lucky Harbor and the last of the second set of 3 books. Grace has been kind of quiet in the series up to this point. You didn't know anything about her except she's new in town and has been looking hard for a job. While looking she's been doing odd jobs. Which is how she ends up walking Josh's crazy dog Tank. Which is how she ends up all wet..... Oh boy. What starts out as a temporary job morphs into something more and then more still. Dr Josh Scott is all kinds of sexy and worn out man. He's got his dads medical practice to run, ER duty and then at home, the dog, his young son and his wheel chair bound sister. He gives new meaning to the words " I've got my hands full." He gets Grace to help and she attempts to figure out where she's going with her life and with Josh. As much as i liked the previous two books i think this might be my favorite of the three. Probably could have said that with every book in this series. Jill Shalvis hits it out of the ballpark again. Josh is just plain irresistible and Grace tries so hard to have a life of her own without influence from her parents. You can't help but root for them. 5 out of 5 Modokker Book Pick stars for Forever and a Day by Jill Shalvis.

Find out more about this series and Jill Shalvis on her website here www.jillshalvis.com
Jill announced on her blog the other day there will be more Lucky Harbor books and a few details on who they will be about as well. Be sure to check it out and read excerpts for these books as well.

Jill Shlavis blog tour. Book review: At Last Book by Jill Shalvis!

Book 5 in the Lucky Harbor series. Available now!
HER LOVE HAS COME ALONG…


Amy Michaels loves her new life in Lucky Harbor. A waitress in the local diner, she’s looking forward to her first weekend hike through the mountains. But when a wrong turn takes her off the trail, she finds herself up close and personal with forest ranger Matt Bowers. And even though she’s tempted to kiss that sexy smile right off his face, she won’t make the mistake of getting involved with the town heartthrob.


A former cop whose life went south, Matt doesn’t let anyone get too close. But something about the feisty beauty caught his eye the moment he first saw her in the diner. After a hot night under a starry sky, Matt can’t deny their attraction-or the fact that for the first time in a long time, he feels the stirrings of something more. Now it’s up to Matt to help Amy see that, no matter what is in their past, together they can build a future in Lucky Harbor.

This is book 5 in the Lucky Harbor series. What can i say. I simply can't get enough of this series. In At Last we finally get to figure out what's going on with Amy. Who she is and what she's about. Both Matt and Amy have secrets. Amy had a hard upbringing and Matt has his own hurts to deal with from his past relationships. Strong as he is he still has inner demons to get past. I love how Jill Shalvis weaves a story. Big chunk of Sexy man paired with a tough, smart woman. Throw in some hot sexy loves scenes, some humor and some conflict and watch out. Entertaining from beginning to end. Love that you feel good while reading this and yes get to giggle too! I think it's great how she brings it back to the 3 girls in the trilogy too and then there's the chocolate. Yes!  This particular set of 3 books in the series has a chocolate theme. Need i say more on that? You read this kind of book you want to share with your friends when your done because it's so good you want someone else to enjoy it as much as you did. As the series moves on I love that you get glimpses of the characters covered in the previous books. Makes me want to go back and doing some re-reading. 5 out of 5 Modokker Book Picks for At Last by Jill Shalvis.

Find out more about this fantastic series on Jill Shalvis website and check out the blog section to see what fun stuff Jill is blogging about. www.jillshalvis.com

What about your comfort read?

Do you have a comfort read? Your go to book or author that you  turn to when you just aren't in the mood mentally to read a new unknown book?? Do you get out a comfort read when you don't feel good. Keep a pile by your bed?? Are any of those books read so much they are kind of getting a wee bit tattered? Um YES! Too all of it. Right now between reading other new stuff I am reading Saving Grace by Julie Garwood. I confess she is my #1 comfort read author. ANYTHING she's written works for me. I have probably read all her books at least 30 times a piece. Each one. They never get old for me. Some of the authors depending on what i feel i need are Jill Shalvis ( like your surprised) Susan Mallery, Linda Lael Miller (cowboys sigh) Christine Feehan (paranormal) Roxanne St Claire ( again surprised? not) and Cindy Gerard both for Romantic Suspense. These are are authors where i own the majority of their books in paperback and there is a considerable pile by my bed. I put them away every now and then but tend to start dragging them back out again right away. lol How about you? What do you look for in a comfort read??? What makes you feel better?

Jill Shalvis Blog tour! Book review: Lucky In Love (Lucky Harbor series book 4) By Jill Shalvis

Available May 22nd
Lucky In LoveMallory Quinn has had enough of playing it safe. As a nurse and devoted daughter, she takes care of everyone but herself. And as the local good girl, she’s expected to date Mr. Right. But for once, she’d like to take a risk on Mr. Wrong. And who could be more wrong than Ty Garrison? The mysterious new guy in town has made it clear that he’s only passing through, which suits Mallory just fine. Besides, his lean, hard body and sexy smile will give her plenty to remember once he’s gone…




For the first time in his life, Ty can’t bear to leave. Helping this sexy seductress-in-training walk on the wild side is making him desire things he shouldn't?including leaving the military for good. As their just-for-fun fling becomes something more, Mallory and Ty wonder if they could really be this lucky in love. After all…anything can happen in a town called Lucky Harbor.


Lucky in love is the continuation of Jill Shalvis' Lucky Harbor series. I was really excited to learn the series was going to continue with at least 3 more books. This is the first of the next three. In the first 3 books we got to meet a set of long lost sisters. Now we're going to start finding out about 3 friends. Mallory Quinn has always been the good girl or least she has been after something terrible happened to her sister. Since then she is as straight laced as they come. Trying to please everyone around her. She is a wonderful person with a big heart but hanging on to guilt over her sister. In comes Ty Garrison. A Sexy bad boy who is trying to recover from losing his entire team in a terrible accident. He has survivors guilt. He's no match for Mallory once he sets eyes on her though. She worms her way right into his heart. They decide for a no strings attached kind of affair while he's in town recovering from some injuries. Ty is going to help her loosen up and be her sexy little self. He's pretty sure he can walk away in the end. Or can he??? If i really want a book i can sit down and be entertained and laugh and feel really good when I'm done it's a Jill Shalvis book for me. Lucky in Love certainly fits right in with that. I can honestly say it was a pleasure to read. Pretty sure i had a dopey smile on my face a dozen times or more. If you haven't read the first three books in this series you can still start right out with this one and not be lost. I would recommend if you can, to back and read them too though. You get a small glance at the characters from the previous books in Lucky in Love but it doesn't feel like you are missing something if you haven't read the first three in the series. A awesome fun delectable read! 5 out of 5 Modokker Book Pick stars for Lucky in Love by Jill Shalvis.

Find out more about Jill Shalvis and her books by checking our her website here www.jillshalvis.com. There are excerpts for this book and the next two on her website also.

Do you save your favorite books? The Bride by Julie Garwood

This is the original cover in 1989


A later cover which most of you might recognize.


By edict of the king, the mighty Scottish laird Alec Kincaid must take an English bride. His choice was Jamie, youngest daughter of Baron Jamison...a feisty, violet-eyed beauty. Alec ached to touch her, to tame her, to possess her...forever. But Jamie vowed never to surrender to this highland barbarian.



He was everything her heart warned against-an arrogant scoundrel whose rough good looks spoke of savage pleasures. And thought Kincaid's scorching kisses fired her blood, she brazenly resisted him...until one rapturous moment quelled their clash of wills, and something far more dangerous than desire threatened to conquer her senses...

Sigh I love this book. Just finished re-reading it for the probably 50th time??? yeah....

How many of you re-read your favorite books? Do you have keepers that you love so much you can't bear to let them go? I do. To be honest i have at least 7 boxes of various sizes filled with books by authors i can't bear to let go. I'll borrow them to friends to spread my love for these books and authors but I make sure they come back. In between new releases i re-read these. If i need a comfort read i go to one of these boxes and pick whatever strikes my fancy. I keep a handful of these by my night stand for when i can't sleep. Julie Garwood and Nora Roberts were the first two authors that made my keepers list. I bought a few Nora Roberts books at my local libraries used book sale several years ago. I had not read since high school due to work, stint in the Army and having small children. It was actually the Twilight series by Stephanie Meyers and all the talk about it that got me to try reading again. After reading that series i was kind of stuck not knowing what to read because i didn't know any authors. Luckily a friend dragged me to the used book sale where i picked up Miss Nora. I had Nora Roberts then so i read and read and read and finally decided a couple months later i should try someone else too. Who though? My friend was reading a Julie Garwood book and I looked it over ( she was reading it and wouldn't let me have it right then lol). I went to the library to see what else they had by her. I checked out Murder List and was very hooked on Julie in no time. This is where my love for the Scottish highlanders came from. I had a copy of Shadow Music from somewhere and i kept thinking I don't want to read some old historical. It's probably really stuff and boring. One day I decided to at least read the first chapter. If i didn't like it i would give it away or donate it. HA!! I think i read that book in one sitting and stayed up half the night. I think most if not all Julie Garwood's back-list is now in ebook form for those of you with ereaders who love Julie Garwood like i do or who would like to give her a go. She only writes one book a year and i wait patiently although sometimes not so patiently for it to come out. This year we're waiting for August to come around.

I would love to hear about your list of keepers if you would like to share. Do you keep books or at least re-read books if you have a ereader only? Do you have a list of authors that you always buy and always keep? Who are they and why do you love them? Here's a short list of mine.


Julie Garwood
Nora Roberts
Jill Shalvis
Susan Mallery
Linda Lael Miller
Christine Feehan
JR Ward
Lori Foster
Debra Kayn
Dana Marton

This is my long standing list. Authors I've been collecting so to speak since i started reading again several years ago. I have discovered many more since then.  I confess i can add to it right now but it would get really long. Many have been around for a while that i just didn't have the opportunity to read ( to many authors not enough time in the day). In the past year though I have discovered more and more debut authors. Brand spanking newly published authors. Please be sure to give these authors a try as well as the more established authors. There are really good books by some really great authors everywhere. Best place to start finding these fine people is on Facebook and twitter but i think a even better place in through reading blogs. All kinds of blogs. Even authors have blogs where they talk about not only their own work but work of fellow authors. The romance community is kind of a family and most everyone is really nice and helpful. Most authors are down to earth real people just like everyone else out there. My blog has links to several blogs to the left side of this post. I encourage you to start there and see where it leads you. Almost every blog has a blog list like mine so you can keep finding new authors and books and reviews that way.

PS Some new debut authors I've read and enjoyed in the past year are:
Sierra Dean
JB Lynn
Besty Horvath
Heather Snow
Jenn LeBlanc
Jodie Griffin
Lexi George

Book review: Kiss me I'm Irish (Anthology) by authors Roxanne St Claire, Jill Shalvis, Maureeen Child

Kiss Me, I'm Irish by Roxanne St. Claire, Jill Shalvis, Maureen Child



Roxanne St. Clair - The Sins of His Past

For one incredible night, Kendra Locke gave Deuce Monroe everything she had. Then he walked away without a backward glance to chase his big-league dreams. Now after one too many daredevil stunts, he's back in his hometown ready to pick up where they left off—but Kendra has no intention of giving in so easily….

Jill Shalvis - Tangling with Ty

Dr. Nicole Mann, a child prodigy who graduated high school at the age of thirteen, has no room in her mind or her schedule for romance. But when the architect renovating her apartment turns out to have a charming Irish accent, all bets are off—and Ty Patrick O'Grady plans to use every trick in his book to stay in her life for good.



Maureen Child - Whatever Reilly Wants

Connor Reilly only has a few weeks to go in his "no sex for ninety days" bet with his brothers—and he figures no woman is safer to be around than his best friend, Emma Jacobsen. Until Emma shows up at a bar in a short skirt and high heels, and suddenly seems anything but safe!
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First up Roxanne St Claire "Sins of his Past". Roxanne gives us a story about finding yourself and reaching for your dreams. Deuce was a big time Baseball start and when that fell apart he came back home to run his parents bar which turns out to no longer be a bar. Kendra is running the show now and she's made it into a Internet cafe. The fights on with these two star crossed lovers when it comes down to a competition for who wins the right the run the bar/ Internet cafe. This is a great little story. Just enough story so you can figure out what's going on and some fun thrown in with it for a great little Irish story. 3 out of 5 Modokker book pick stars.

Next up is Jill Shalvis "Tangling with Ty" Sexy Irishman Ty has some hang ups. He's a wanderer. He rough childhood has made him leery of letting anyone to close. Then he meets Dr Nicole Mann. Child prodigy who graduated high school at 12 and went on to become a Dr. Now at 27 she's a successful Dr. but doesn't know anything about relationships of any kind. Both make work their life. First i have to say the description of TY is drool worthy. Several inches  over 6 ft tall, dark black hair and piercing blue eyes with a body that won't quit. Hello, who could not be attracted to that. Nicole tries but isn't quite as successful as she had hoped. When he comes crashing through her ceiling and gets seriously injured Nicole being the good Dr. ends up taking him home with her. This is a story about finding love and letting go of the past and opening yourself up. Loved it!! 4 out of 5 Modokker Book Pick stars.

Lastly we have Maureen Child "Whatever Reilly wants". Connor Reilly is one of a set of triplets. One of the triplets got back with his wife and is happily married and the third is still single like Connor. They made a bet with their older brother Liam ( a priest) over some money they inherited.  The remaining 2 brothers must give up women for 90 days and 30 have passed so far. One brother down and 2 left to go. Emma has been Connor's best friend for the past two years. She's a mechanic so she's always in coveralls with her hair up in a pony tail and slightly dirty. He sees her as one of the guys and that just won't do. Emma sets her sights on Connor to show him she's all woman!  This is a fun read with hot Irish men all over the place.  4 out 5 Modokker Book pick stars.

Find out more about the authors at their websites below.

Roxanne St Claire www.roxannestclaire.com
Jill Shalvis www.jillshalvis.com
Maureen Child www.maureenchild.com

Book review: Time Out by Jill Shalvis (Harlequin Blaze)

Time Out!
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Class: How to Drive Him Crazy

Instructional program for women unexpectedly facing the totally dishy guy from their past. Everyone Welcome!

NHL coach Mark Diego’s plan to spend his off-season volunteering in his hometown goes awry when he learns that not only is he coaching teenage girls, but that the program is coordinated by energetic (and five feet two inches of trouble) coordinator Rainey Saunders, his childhood friend–and the woman he could never stand to see dating any other guy…

When their tempers flare, Mark and Rainey discover their fireworks don’t just burn angry–they burn very, very, hot! But that’ll just sweeten the victory. Because Mark always plays to win. And with Rainey, he’s planning on playing very dirty too…

This is 224 pages of great entertainment. I never worry when i read a Jill Shalvis book. I know that it will be interesting and  entertaining. There will most likely be a hot man and a lot of great dialogue and depending on the book hot sex scenes and some laughs. Yeah that just about describes this book " Time Out". I love reading these smaller Harlequin books that are shorter in the pages department but big on story. I didn't feel like this book was only 224 pages. I read it on my kindle so later i had to go look up the page number. Sometimes you feel shorted on details in these books but not this time. I think it's all in the author who is writing the book. Jill has a knack for making you fall in love with her characters and Mark and Rainey have so much chemistry they sizzle. They have a past. They used to be friends until one night when a young Rainey made a mistake and ruined it. Years later though Mark hasn't forgot Rainey and now he is in Rainey's world again for a while to help coach some girls in baseball and get under her skin. There's a smidge of drama and lots of laughs and some emotional stuff you just have to have in the mix. I sat and read this in one sitting and right down to the last sentence it was pretty much a perfect read for making a person feel pretty darn good.  5 out of 5 Modokker book pick stars for Time Out by Jill Shalvis.

Read a excerpt right here http://jillshalvis.com/excerpts/time-out/ Buy links are right at the bottom of the excerpt if you want to pre-order.

Find out about Jill Shalvis and her books on her website and check out her blog there too. www.jillshalvis.com/
Pre order here for Amazon Kindle www.amazon.com/Time Out.
Pre order here for Barnes and Noble Nook www.barnesandnoble.com/time-out-jill-shalvis

Book Review: Instant Attraction by Jill Shalvis

This book was first published in 2009 in trade paperback and will be reissued this fall in mass market. Look for it on bookshelves in October 2012.

back cover blurb via Amazon
The first in a sensational  series, Jill Shalvis introduces Cameron, Stone, and T.J. Wilder--three bad-boy heroes who effortlessly mix breathtaking adventure and scorching sex appeal. . .


Get Wild. . .And Then Get Wilder. . .

Accountant Katie Kramer is a quintessential good girl--working hard, recycling diligently, all the while trying to ignore the feeling that she doesn't fit in anywhere. That's all she wants. Well, that--and amazing sex, and the kind of daredevil escapade she can look back on when she's crunching numbers in a dusty cubicle. Which explains why she just took a job in Wishful, California, working for Wilder Adventures and Expeditions. Waking up to find a magnificently built stranger towering over her bed--that part defies explanation. . .

After wandering the planet for months following a life-changing accident, Cameron Wilder has come back to the only home he knows. Under other circumstances, he might be thrilled to find a gorgeous woman sleeping in his cabin, but now, while he'll risk his body taking clients on adrenaline-drenched excursions, his heart is off limits. Still, Katie's killer smile triggers something deep in his gut. . .among other places. Showing her how exhilarating it can be to stop balancing her life as if it was a checkbook is the biggest rush he's ever felt--and an adventure Katie's wishing would never end...

I read this book once before but can't remember if i ever reviewed it so here i am. Love this series and Instant Attraction is book one. I've never read a Jill Shalvis book i didn't like and this one follows along with that. Funny and witty this is a "read in one sitting" read. Cameron Wilder was this world class athlete then he had a terrible accident on the slopes that ended his competing days for good. Heartbroken and lost he takes off trying to find himself and who he is now. A year later he shows up home to his brothers and Wilder Adventures.  Wilder Adventures is a outdoor adventure and expedition company is owned by Cam and his two brothers. Well mostly Cam's brothers until he shows back up. Of course he shows back up at 1 in the morning to find Katie Kramer in his bed in his cabin. This book is kind of a journey for Katie. She was in this horrific accident where she was the only survivor of a bridge collapse. Trying to deal with that she runs from LA and ends up working for the Wilder's for a month doing temp work. Sparks fly pretty fast between Cam and Katie although Cam resists getting to close to Katie. Both have to fight their inner demons to find the love they deserve with each other. The writing is so good you get drawn in and wish you were there. The funny bits here and there lead you through the story to the serious bits too. Even the last lines made me laugh. I was glad i got to read this. 5 out of 5 stars for Instant Attraction by Jill Shalvis.

Read a excerpt here http://jillshalvis.com/excerpts/instant-attraction/
Find out more about Jill Shalvis her books and her hilarious blog by clicking here. www.jillshalvis.com

Book review: A Small Town Christmas by Jill Shalvis, Hope Ramsay Katie Lane

Available now from Amazon and Barnes and Noble for $2.99


Three heartwarming holiday stories


to prove that love is the greatest gift of all

Kissing Santa Claus by Jill Shalvis

NASCAR driver Logan Perrish returns to Lucky Harbor, Washington, with love in his heart and a ring in his pocket. But can Sandy Jansen forget the past and give him a second chance? Or will Logan be spending another Christmas alone?


I'll Be Home for Christmas by Hope Ramsay

After ignoring the advice of Miz Miriam Randall, local matchmaker, Annie Roberts expects another hum drum holiday in Last Chance, South Carolina. But when a stray cat arrives in the arms of Army sergeant Matt Jasper, a calico named Holly just may be the best matchmaker of all.

O Little Town of Bramble by Katie Lane

All Ethan Miller wants for Christmas is to celebrate in Bramble, Texas, with family and friends. But when his childhood neighbor, Samantha Henderson, comes home for the holiday, Ethan realizes that the girl-next-door could be the girl of his dreams.

This is a real quick read. Good for taking with you to appointments when you have some time to read. With three shorter stories you can get through each one pretty quick. Very Christmas spirited but not overly so you could choke. lol If you read Jill Shalvis' Lucky Harbor series her story Kissing Santa Claus takes place in Lucky Harbor when Logan Perrish gets wise and comes back to get Sandy the town clerk he whirlwind loved and left behind months ago. He's going to have to work hard to get her to believe in him. Being Santa Claus might help. Funny and fun and sweet. A+ for this one. The second story is I'll be home for Christmas by Hope Ramsay she writes a series called Last Chance and this is part of that i believe. Matt Jasper shows up in town freshly out of the Army after years of service with a gift for a old Army buddies grandmother. He tells himself he's friend wanted his grandmother to have the present and he is just making sure that happens ( friend is deceased) In reality his friend Nick had told Matt all about his hometown and growing up there and his ex-girlfriend he never got over. He finds himself staying at her house and hanging out with her decorating and doing Christmas stuff. He has feeling for Annie his friends ex girlfriend but he has doubts as to his welcome in this town too. This was a touching slightly sad story with a happy ending. Very nice. I give is a B. The last one is called O Little Town of Bramble by Katie Lane. This was was fun too. Some of the characters seemed familiar to me although i know i have not read this author before. Then i remembered i have her last two releases on my TBR pile that i won from another blog. I had read the back pack blurbs and knew i wanted to read them. I will be doing that soon too. Ethan is 30 and has put off his life pretty much for 2 reasons. His parents farm. He felt he needed to stay and help out especially after his dad fell and got hurt. He was a little afraid. Yup he was a bit nervous to go off to college so he put it off and never did get to go. Now his parents announce that since he didn't use the college fund money he didn't even know he had, that they are going to move to the beach and let him have the farm. Top that off with the girl next door he grew up with a loved like a sibling is back for Christmas and newly graduated veterinarian which was his dream. Lots of stuff for one body to deal with until he figures out that maybe what he felt for the girl next door wasn't sibling love but something else. Cute and funny Christmas story. Make you want to know more about the other characters as well. I give it a A. As a whole i give A Small Town Christmas 4 out of 5 stars. A nice Christmas read anyone can enjoy.

Find out more about the authors from the links below.
www.hoperamsay.com
www.jillshalvis.com
www.katielanebooks.com

Book review: Head over Heels by author Jill Shalvis

Head Over Heels by Jill Shalvis
out in stores and online now.

Breaking rules and breaking hearts

Free-spirited Chloe lives life on the edge. Unlike her soon-to-be married sisters, she isn't ready to settle into a quiet life running their family's newly renovated inn. But soon her love of trouble--and trouble with love-draws the attention of the very stern, very sexy sheriff who'd like nothing better than to tame her wild ways.

Suddenly Chloe can't take a misstep without the sheriff hot on her heels. His rugged swagger and his enigmatic smile are enough to make a girl beg to be handcuffed. For the first time, instead of avoiding the law, Chloe dreams of surrender. Can this rebel find a way to keep the peace with the straitlaced sheriff? Or will Chloe's colorful past keep her from a love that lasts . . . and the safe haven she truly wants in a town called Lucky Harbor?

This is the third book in the Lucky Harbor series by author Jill Shalvis. Chloe, Maddie and Tara are step sisters who inherited a dilapidated old bed and breakfast from their mother. In book one they decide they want to fix it up and run it. Chloe is the baby of the sisters and the one with the free spirit.Sawyer is the big bad sheriff of Lucky Harbor and Chloe seems to be always ticking him off. In reality both Chloe and Sawyer have personal demons driving them. Chloe never knew her dad. Doesn't even know his name and her mother was a flighty woman who dragged her all over living a life where you she never had a home. Top that with the fact that she has life threatening asthma and her life is not as much fun as people seem to think. Sawyer was raised by his dad and he was a wild kid who couldn't be tamed and over the years there grew a distance between him and his dad that he thinks can never be filled.  Through the first two books you got small glimpses at Sawyer and Chloe but you were left to wonder what they were really like. What was really going on with Chloe. She acted nonchalant about everything like she really didn't care much. Then there is a whole asthma thing. She has such severe asthma she can't even have sex or so she thinks she can't. Sawyer breaks through her barriers as much ans she breaks through his. The man is so sweet you can't help but love him even if he is hard on himself about everything.  Head over Heels is another great read from Jill Shalvis. Another one you can sit down and enjoy with a small smile on your face with a laugh or two thrown in for good measure. If you haven't read this series what are you waiting for? Read a excerpt here and find out more about her other books. JillShalvis-excerpt Head over Heels . 5 out of 5 Modokker Book Picks stars for Head over Heels by Jill Shalvis.

Other books in the series
Simply Irrisitable amazon.com
The Sweetest Thing amazon.com
Head over Heels amazon.com
2 in 1 reissue of Simply Irristible and the Sweetest thing amazon.com

Free ebook Friday HEATING UP THE KITCHEN Recipies with Love from Lucky Harbor By Jill Shalvis

This weeks free ebook is not a romace book per se but it's a companion book to Jill Shalvis Luck Harbor series book The Sweetest Thing. It's full of Tara's recipes. Let get cooking!!



Hello Readers,

Thanks for coming to Lucky Harbor. I'm sure your presence has already been noted by Lucille and the rest of her blue-hair posse and will shortly be posted on their Facebook page. Hope you don't have toilet paper stuck to your shoe.

Or any secrets...

In these pages are recipes on how to catch a man, how to cope with sisters, and bunches of wisdom. Whoops, sorry. Wrong book. (See either Simply Irresistible, The Sweetest Thing, or Head Over Heels).
There are, however, some fantastic recipes from my very own kitchen, and in the cooking of these recipes, I can guarantee you a culinary experience that will make you forget your troubles.

Happy cooking, happy eating, and happy reading!

Tara Daniels

Find out more about Jill Shalvis and her Lucky Harbor series and her other books her blog etc by checking out her website. www.jillshalvis.com The next book in the Lucky Harbor series comes out next Month. Head Over Heels. Pre-order Head Over Heels here pre-order Head over Heels

Buy Heating up the Kitchen here free for Kindle Heating up the Kitchen

Book review: Animal Attraction (Animal Book 2) by author Jill Shalvis

Jill Shalvis October 7, 2011
ANIMAL ATTRACTION

Berkley Mass Market
Animal Magnetism
Book Two
Available at Amazon and B&N online and in bookstores.

Jade Bennett couldn't be happier to escape her past for the quiet ranching town of Sunshine, Idaho. Plus, there's nothing like working for veterinarian Dell Connelly. And though Dell has no intention of settling down, Jade's strength and sass are enticements no red-blooded male can resist.

Excerpt below:
“Come on, baby,” he murmured. “Give it up for me. You know you want to.”


Jade Bennett did her best to ignore the way the low, sexy voice made her shiver. Besides, it wasn’t aimed at her. Dr. Dell Connelly; dog whisperer, cat whisperer, horse whisperer, and known woman whisperer … was talking to a stray kitten.

The feline in question huddled miserably beneath the bench seat in Dell’s vet center waiting room, staring at him from narrowed eyes, clearly having none of the sweet talk. She was a scruffy/mangy grayish brown with sharp green eyes, and like Jade, not swayed by sweet talkers.

“Huh,” Jade said from behind the reception counter. “Most females leap right into your arms at the slightest encouragement.”

Dell craned his neck and regarded her from eyes as dark as his secrets. “Not all.”

There was a beat of silence during which she did her best not to break eye contact. He was right. Not all females, otherwise she’d have made the leap.

Jill Shalvis has been a must buy for me from the first couple books of hers that i ever read. Animal Attraction is the 2nd book in her Animal series. I read this in two evenings but had i strarted earlier in the day it easily would be a one sitting book. I read Animal Magnetism (book 1) when it came out and was ready for book 2 immediately I enjoyed  it so much.  It was well worth the wait. Dell Connelly and Jade Bennett both have issues. Even though they grew up with very different backgrounds their issues are similar. Both are afraid. Commitment for Dell because he has been abandoned in one way or another all his life. His group of friends he trusts is pretty small. Jade is a part of that circle but still he holds back. Jade used to a very confident person. Nothing fazed her until she was attacked at her work place 18 months ago. She didn't do anything to fight back at her attacker and other people got hurt and she feels guilt but also has not dealt with the after effects of it yet either. Dell knows something happened to Jade but she won't let him in enough to tell him. They bounce off each other though the whole book helping each other but misunderstanding a lot of things too. You wonder if Dell is ever going to get over himself and tell Jade he loves her. It is soooo clearly evident that he does. It's lot of fun watching him try to get there. The banter between all the characters in this book is great and you feel you would like to know these people. Be a part of their circle.  Animal Attraction is another keeper book for me. 5 out of 5 Modokker Book Pick stars.  Next in this series is Dell's brother Adams book. Can't wait. Next book out for Jill is the a Lucky Harbor series book "Head Over Heels" Lucky Harbor book 3.

To find out more about Jill Shalvis books and read excerpts as well as her blog check out her website here www.jillshalvis.com

Book review: The Sweetest Thing by author Jill Shalvis

The Sweetest Thing is the second novel in The Lucky Harbor series by author Jill Shalvis. This series is about 3 sisters that inherit a Inn from their deceased mother in Lucky Harbor, Washington. The first in this series is Simply Irresistible that told Maddie and Jax's story. I reviewed it here and the blog and loved it. This book is Tara and Ford's story.

Two Men Are One Too Many . . .


Tara has a thousand good reasons not to return to the little coastal town of Lucky Harbor, Washington. Yet with her life doing a major crash-and-burn, anywhere away from her unfulfilled dreams and sexy ex-husband will do. As Tara helps her two sisters get their newly renovated inn up and running, she finally has a chance to get things under control and come up with a new plan for her life.

But a certain tanned, green-eyed sailor has his own ideas, such as keeping Tara hot, bothered . . . and in his bed. And when her ex wants Tara back, three is a crowd she can't control-especially when her deepest secret reappears out of the blue. Now Tara must confront her past and discover what she really wants. If she's lucky, she might just find that everything her heart desires is right here in Lucky Harbor.


Tara is still working in the restaurant in town and getting the kitchen at the Inn ready to feed their guests when they open. Ford is still hanging around Tara driving her nuts when her ex husband shows up and adds himself to the mix. Tara's race car driver ex-husband Logan has decided he wants her back. Ford wants her too so the fight is on between the two. Add to this a secret from Tara and Ford's past shows up. Seventeen years ago Tara had a child fathered by Ford when she was only 17 years old. She knew that she was not ready for the responsibility so she gave the baby up. She's never been able to forgive herself for it either even if it was the right thing to do. Even though Logan keeps trying to push his way back into a relationship with Tara, Ford is the one who captures her heart, There is so much funny dialog in this book and the relationship between Ford Tara and their daughter Mia will get to you pretty quick. I just love love love Ford. He is a rock for Mia and Tara.  If Tara didn't want him I'd take him lol There is one more installment in this series Head over Heels which will be the third book which will be Chloe and Sawyer's story. You can a excerpt for this at the back on The Sweetest thing or you can read it on Jill Shalvis website by clicking here. You can read a excerpt for The Sweetest Thing and Simply Irresistible on her website as well. i give The Sweetest Thing 5 out of 5 Modokker Book Pick stars. This was one of those books i enjoyed from start to finish and will definitely read again.